The study and practice of rights inherent to all human beings — their philosophical foundations, legal codification, and enforcement mechanisms.

Human rights discourse navigates tensions between universalism and cultural particularity, between civil-political and social-economic rights, between state sovereignty and international accountability.

The Islamic tradition's concept of haqq (truth, right, claim) — which simultaneously names divine reality and human entitlement — provides a foundation for human rights that is grounded in ontology rather than convention. The Sufi emphasis on recognizing the divine presence in every human being (tajalli) provides a basis for unconditional human dignity.